A physically active occupation does not result in compensatory inactivity during out-of-work hours

Tigbe, W.W., Lean, M.E.J. and Granat, M.H. (2011) A physically active occupation does not result in compensatory inactivity during out-of-work hours. Preventive Medicine, 53(1-2), pp. 48-52. (doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.04.018)

Abstract

<p>Aim: To examine differences in non-occupational physical activity behaviour in workers who engage in high and low occupational physical activity.</p> <p>Design: Cross-sectional survey of 112 otherwise comparable volunteers in active (56 walking postal delivery workers) or inactive (56 administrative postal workers) occupations in Glasgow (Scotland) in 2007.</p> <p>Methods: Twenty four-hour physical activity (steps and time standing, walking and sedentary) patterns were measured using activPAL (TM) for seven days. Comparisons were made during 8-hour work-shifts, during non-work hours on work-clays and during the 2 non-work days.</p> <p>Results: Age and body mass index of delivery and office staff, respectively, were (means (SD)) 38 (9) years versus 40 (7) years and 26.3 (3) kg m(-2) versus 27.4(4) kg m(-2). Delivery staff spent substantially longer time than office staff upright (6.0 (1.1) h versus 3.9 (1.5) h) and walking (3.1 (0.7) 11 versus 1.6 (0.7) h) and amassed more steps (16,035 (4264) versus 6709 (2808)) during 8-hour work-shifts and over 24 h on work days. During non-work hours of work-days and during non-work days, there were no significant differences in physical activity between the groups. The results were unchanged when the IS women were excluded.</p> <p>Conclusion. Having a more active occupation is not associated wills more inactivity during non-work hours.</p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lean, Professor Michael
• Authors: Tigbe, W.W., Lean, M.E.J., and Granat, M.H.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Preventive Medicine
• ISSN: 0091-7435
• Published Online: 05 May 2011